QA/R-2 is the policy document containing the specifications and requirements for Quality Management Plans (QMPs) for organizations with which EPA has extramural agreements. The document has been finalized and replaces QAMS-004/80. R-2 parallels the implementation requirements for QMPs contained in the EPA Quality Manual for Environmental Programs (EPA Order 5360.1), an internal policy manual.

This checklist is designed to be used when reviewing Quality Management Plans prepared according to EPA QA/R-2 EPA Requirements for Quality Management Plans. While the primary purpose of this checklist is for internal agency review and approval of Quality Management Plans, outside parties that need to prepare Quality Management Plans may find this checklist useful. Some of the checklist items may need to be adapted, when reviewing Quality Management Plans prepared by outside parties.

QA/G-5 provides guidance on developing Quality Assurance Project Plans (QAPPs) that will meet EPA expectations and requirements. This document provides a linkage between the DQO process and the QAPP. It contains tips, advice, and case studies to help users develop improved QAPPs.

QA/G-5M adapts the current EPA QA/G-5 for modeling projects emphasizing applicable QA Project Plan elements for example, assessment of acquired data and software/hardware configuration testing. Issues such as regulatory task focused systematic planning and the use of the graded approach to match model complexity to the need for evaluation and testing are also addressed.

QA/G-8 provides non-mandatory guidance to assist users in verifying and validating environmental data. The guidance discusses alternative approaches to data validation, including examples of statistics-based validation techniques, and options for verifying that the validated data satisfy relevant claims about their authenticity and quality.

QA/G-4HW provides guidance on applying the Data Quality Objectives (DQO) process to hazardous waste site investigations. The guidance presents a step-by-step description of the DQO process and its application to sampling designs for environmental remediation and waste management activities.

The introduction to the document provides an overview for the target audience emphasizing the importance of systematic planning for geospatial data projects and its relationship to the Agency’s Quality System. The second chapter delineates the EPA policies on QA Project Plans. The third chapter discusses how QA Project Plan elements can be applied to geospatial data projects. The fourth chapter describes approaches to QA Project Plan elements for a geospatial module portion of a complex multi-organization project in risk assessment modeling as well as less complicated projects for a routine global positioning survey and creating a cartographic product from a spreadsheet to illustrate application of the graded approach discussed in Chapter 1.

QA/G-8 provides non-mandatory guidance to assist users in verifying and validating environmental data. The guidance discusses alternative approaches to data validation, including examples of statistics-based validation techniques, and options for verifying that the validated data satisfy relevant claims about their authenticity and quality.

This template and guide were developed and written by the Native American Fish and Wildlife Society, Cook Inlet Keeper, and the University of Alaska Anchorage Environmental and Natural Resources Institute. These documents have been reviewed and approved by EPA and ADEC.